Qantas warns against allowing international carriers to operate on domestic routes in Australia

Qantas advised a parliamentary committee to refrain from allowing international carriers to operate on domestic routes in Australia, known as cabotage (Sydney Morning Herald, 17-Apr-2017). A submission by Qantas Group executive Andrew Parker to the senate committee which is investigating the possibility of cabotage, stated any changes would have substantial economic, employment and operational risks and would undermine Australia's position in future air services negotiations. The Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development submission stated cabotage can be considered under existing policy in exceptional cases, such as on routes not serviced by Australian airlines.